HIGH SCHOOL WRESTLING: Hunterdon Central wins to set up Phillipsburg showdown

FLEMINGTON — The stage is now set for one of the biggest matches in the recent memory of so-called West Jersey wrestling with Phillipsburg headed to Hunterdon Central tomorrow night in a collision for the North Jersey Section 2 Group IV sectional championship.

Looking very sharp despite a 10-day layoff, Hunterdon Central did its part last night with a solid 37-21 win over a depleted Watchung Hills squad (17-4).

Phillipsburg, meanwhile, easily handled North Hunterdon for the second time this year when it rolled by the score of 46-17 at the “Pit.’’

Ranked seventh in the state by the Trentonian, Hunterdon Central (17-1) beat No. 8 Phillispburg, 34-30, when the two wrestled earlier in the season.

“It should be quite a night,” said Central coach Steve Gibble of tomorrow’s showdown in the Fieldhouse. “It will be a challenge.”

Although Watchung Hills had wrestled Central tough earlier in the year, last night was not a major challenge because Watchung Hill was forced to forfeit 106 and was also without one of its top wrestlers in injured 132-pounder Alex Murray.

As such, this was more about individual performances and it was on this front where Central also excelled.

It started with 220-pounder Paul Rallis ralling for a 5-3 win and continued when heavyweight Gabe Barba lost to Anthony Rizzolo by the score of only 2-0. Rizzollo was heavily favored in this bout and had pinned against Central earlier this year.

Another stellar effort was turned in by Central 132-pounder Collin Boylan. Facing defending state champ Mike Magaldo, who bumped up from 126, Boylan gave him all he could handle before coming up just short, 3-2. Boylan nearly took down Magaldo twice with near-side cradles in the second period, but was never given control by referee Chip Castner.

Two bouts later Tim Higginson continued to tear it up by majoring Matt Coppola, 11-1, at 145 pounds. Higginson was impressive against a quality wrestler and like the rest of his teammates looked ready to go for tomorrow night.

“We worked really hard during the layoff.’’ said Higginson. “Our goal is to win the Group IV state championship. It’s going to be close, but I think we can beat them (Phillipsburg) again,’’

Higginson’s win gave Central a 27-18 lead and the Red Devils more or less cruised home from there behind decisions by the Cote brothers, Dylan and Tyler, and Joe Scerbo at 182. David Fenton also impressed in a tough 3-1 loss to the Warriors’ undefeated Mike Carrocia at 170.